South CarolinaSouth Carolina allows repeat pretrial intervention after 20 years
Eligible people can use a program outside the usual criminal court process again once at least 20 years have passed since they successfully completed it.
What it does
People may repeat pretrial intervention, a program that handles criminal cases outside the usual court process, at least 20 years after successful completion. They must meet the other eligibility rules.
Argument forRepeat participation could give eligible people another way to handle criminal charges when a program better meets their needs.
Argument againstThe 20-year wait could keep otherwise suitable people from handling another case outside the usual criminal court process.
More detail
Eligible people may participate in pretrial intervention more than once. This applies to people in South Carolina who successfully completed a previous pretrial intervention program. Excluded charges include drunk driving and violent crimes, unless the prosecutor determines that the facts do not fit the charge's required elements. Participation must be likely to serve justice and better meet the person's and state's needs outside the usual criminal court process. The person must appear to pose no community threat and be unlikely to commit further crimes, with no significant criminal or juvenile offense history. When treatment is required, a quick response must be likely. The law took effect May 19, 2026. The 20-year wait runs from the date the person successfully completed a previous program.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 5Effective date 05/19/26Latest
- Jun 3Act No. 216
- May 19Signed By Governor Henry McMasterBecame Law
- May 14Ratified R 199
- Apr 30Read third time and enrolledTo Governor
- Apr 29Roll call Ayes-43 Nays-0
- Vote recorded 2nd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 29Read second timeMinor
- Apr 9Committee report: Favorable JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 4Referred to Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 4Introduced and read first timeMinor
- Feb 4Read third time and sent to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Feb 3Scrivener's error corrected
- Feb 3Roll call Yeas-xxx Nays-xxx
- Feb 3Read second timeMinor
- Feb 3Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Reese, Rivers
- Jan 30Scrivener's error corrected
- Jan 29Committee report: Favorable JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 28Member(s) request name added as sponsor: C.Mitchell, Yow
- Jan 13Referred to Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 13Introduced and read first timeMinor
- 2025
- Dec 16Referred to Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Dec 16PrefiledIntroduced
Criminal Justice